Adventure Travel Blog

Kenya’s Top 5 Wildlife Safari Getaways

A safari trip in Kenya is really what a visit to Africa is all about. Kenya’s game parks and reserves are highly sought after by tourists from across the globe. Staying in these excellent gateways, watching superb wildlife, experiencing the fascinating culture of the Masai tribesmen and tasting the flavors of authentic African, Indian and European cuisine in a single Swahili melting pot makes for a special African trip that one is never likely to forget.

Amboseli National Park

The towering Mt.Kilimanjaro may be seen rising a heady 5895 meters from the soils of Tanzania, but the only authentic place to get the best views of this soulful mountain, is from none other but Amboseli National Park in Kenya, which just lies across the border. Add to this the mighty tuskers of Africa, of which only the largest are found here, and you have a spectacular background of a snow capped mountain and vast herds of elephant set against it- a true picture postcard image of an African safari.

Amboseli is home to more than 50 species of mammals and nearly 400 species of birds. The high observation hill allows for excellent views of the plains below and the teeming wildlife. The Masai tribe can often be seen around the periphery here with their large herds of cattle, and a visit to the community to experience their culture and art would not be out of place. The name of the park itself, Amboseli, means ‘salty dust’ in Maasai language. There are five different habitats for nature lovers to visit from dry river beds, wetlands, woodlands, savannah and sulfur springs. With all these different habitats it pays off to have something to wear that for your safari in Kenya.

Lake Nakuru National Park

This stunning park, which houses a saltwater lake, is home to huge flocks of pink flamingos and white pelicans that revel in these alkaline waters along with this great bird life come all sorts of animals that make up for a breathtaking African safari. Black rhino, white rhino, lions, baboons and leopards which are the epitome of feline strength can be found in Lake Nakuru. Not to forget the troops of the shy colobus monkeys and Rothschild giraffe frolicking in the dense greenery, against a backdrop of waterfalls and mountain cliffs, makes for one of Africa’s most diverse and equally easily accessible safari.

Situated on the floor of the great Rift valley, this paradise for birdwatchers is surrounded by grasslands and the lake itself, where the visitors can enjoy the wild ecological diversity and the different habitats at the same time.

Masai Mara National Reserve

The real jewel in the crown of Africa the Masai Mara, displays a wildlife show like no other on earth. Every year from June to October, the rich grasslands of this park draw millions of wildebeest, zebras and many other iconic herbivores to feed here and then give birth to their young ones. However, in order to reach these green pastures they need to cross the tricky Masai river. A real battle for survival then unfolds between these vast herds and the great predators which follow them, like lions, cheetahs and the huge crocodiles lurking in the shallows of the Masai river which lie in wait for these herds to cross.

Lake Naivasha

A two-hour hour drive from the choked arteries of the capital, Nairobi, and reveling in a world of its own, is the magnificent freshwater lake Naivasha at an altitude of 1884 meters, making it one of the highest lakes in the Rift valley. Extending like a sea the lake surrounded by grassy banks and trees, housing a large variety of water birds, not to forget the view of the erect ears of the hundreds of submerged hippos jutting up like a periscope of a submarine.

The earliest outlet of the lake, Njorowa gorge, now acts as the entrance to Hell’s gate national park, which contains some spectacular rock formations and an abundance of flora and fauna which include some extremely rare breeding pairs of lammergeier or bearded vultures.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Teeming with wildlife which can be viewed without the rigid rigorous strictures of Kenya’s other national parks, this sheltered oasis is in a class of its own. With the snowy peaks of Mt.Kenya forming an excellent backdrop, this area is home to the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa.

Ol Pejeta is the nearest place from Nairobi to see the big five of Africa and a close encounter with any of these would not be out of place here. The tented camp at Sweetwaters is built around a waterhole and is the preferred retreat of wildlife lovers, with unfettered views of the watering hole with Mt. Kenya in the background.

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The World Pursuit

Welcome to the world, as seen through the eyes of Cameron and Natasha. On this site, you’ll find our experiences, photography, and informative travel guides. We love getting to off the beaten path destinations and aren’t afraid to go it alone. We hope to inspire other independent travelers and provide the resources to do so. If you want to find us, head to the nearest coffee shop or check back here!